My travels/observations

Category Archives for My travels/observations.

Lie-Flat Is Great, but I’ll Miss These Cradle Seats

December 23, 2013 by Darren 11 Comments

I was hunting for a certain picture in my iPhoto album earlier and paused several times when I passed by each of my trips on United’s Premium Service (p.s.) Boeing 757s flying between New York’s JFK Airport and Los Angeles or San Francisco. As you’re probably aware, United completed the redesign of the p.s. fleet…

Million-Mile Flight Review: United BusinessFirst, Seoul to San Francisco

December 17, 2013 by Darren 1 Comment

[This is the final installment of my Million-Mile Trip Report. I’ve included links to the other posts below:] United Airlines Million-Mile Trip Report: Introduction and Background Flight Review: United Airlines BusinessFirst, San Francisco to Seoul Hotel Review: Conrad Seoul, Executive Floor King Room Lounge Review: Asiana Business Class, Seoul Incheon Midfield Concourse Whenever possible, I…

The Most Disgusting Airline Omelette Ever

December 12, 2013 by Darren 8 Comments

The omelettes United Airlines serves on domestic and international flights catered here in the U.S. are actually pretty tasty. It can vary slightly being a cheese fold-over or in some cases more of an herbed scrambled egg. But having had it probably hundreds of times, I’ve grown completely tired of it and whenever possible, opt…

Why I Don’t Like Kiosk Immigration and Passport Control

December 10, 2013 by Darren 10 Comments

Now before you say, “He said what?” let me further expand that headline to include: … outside of the United States. Global Entry here in the U.S. is praised by those who use the service as it zips you through immigration in a minute or two. But using kiosks at border entries bypasses getting an…

A Helpful Pre-Arrival Email from Marriott

December 1, 2013 by Darren 4 Comments

As I posted previously, I’m visiting a friend in Sydney this week and before heading out to her place in the suburbs, I booked a room on my first day here at the Sydney Harbour Marriott at Circular Quay. I’ll post a full review in the future, but I wanted to quickly share the helpful…

Thanksgiving Dilemma: To Fly or Not to Fly

November 28, 2013 by Darren 5 Comments

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone who celebrates the holiday! I had a lovely turkey brunch with my parents earlier today before heading out to the airport for a trip I’ve been rather uncertain in taking. Strange considering this is the Frequently Flying blog, right? Well, there are of course occasions where you absolutely have to cancel…

Bidding Adieu to My United Club Membership With a ‘Soft Landing’

November 25, 2013 by Darren 11 Comments

It’s that time of year for me to renew my United Club membership and I received the following reminder email from United. But after six consecutive years of membership, I’ve decided to let it lapse. I’m probably in the minority of travel bloggers (and you, my readers) who actually dole out cash directly to United…

Reader Question: Any Issues, Concerns Doing International Mileage Runs?

October 30, 2013 by Darren 7 Comments

Blog reader Richard sent in the following question: … I would love to get UAL premier gold again this year but I think it will take an international mileage run (note: my home airport is SFO). I have never done that—are there time concerns/security issues with flying internationally (e.g., to London) only to turn around…

Lounge Review: Asiana Business Class, Seoul Incheon Midfield Concourse

October 29, 2013 by Darren 7 Comments

[This is part four of my Million-Mile Trip Report. I’ve included links to the other installments below:] United Airlines Million-Mile Trip Report: Introduction and Background Flight Review: United Airlines BusinessFirst, San Francisco to Seoul Hotel Review: Conrad Seoul, Executive Floor King Room Million-Mile Flight Review: United BusinessFirst, Seoul to San Francisco After checking in for…

Hotel Review: Conrad Seoul, Executive Floor King Room

October 28, 2013 by Darren 8 Comments

[This is part three of my Million-Mile Trip Report. I’ve included links to the other installments below:] United Airlines Million-Mile Trip Report: Introduction and Background Flight Review: United Airlines BusinessFirst, San Francisco to Seoul Lounge Review: Asiana Business Class, Seoul Incheon Midfield Concourse Million-Mile Flight Review: United BusinessFirst, Seoul to San Francisco The Conrad Seoul…